How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

I found out about it from work. I thought that it seemed like a easy fix...boy was I wrong.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

I let the professionals at my doctors office handle that. I had to do NOTHING

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

The hospital stay was busy..they are on top of things. I was comfortable. I was there 3 days. I brang magaines and hand held games but was unable to read or play any of them. I aminly consitrated on getting my water intake in for that day and it consumed the time

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No complications fromt he surgery but the shoulder pain afterwards is very uncomfortable

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

At first it was hard going home. I needed help getting out of bed, wipping my behind and bandaging/cleaning my insisions. I never really depended on anyone in the past so it was hard asking for help. After time goes by again you just consitrate on getting the fluids and protein requirements in a day. That is still hard for me. Also eating and drinking the same thing is hard for me as well. I am trying to get in the mine set that food is to nourish my body not for pleasure

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

You need someone to be there for you to help you. It is painful at times just getting up from a sitting position.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I didnt think that I would need a support group but there is alot of questions you will have and it is also nice to know that there is others going through the same thing. You are not alone

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

They are smaller that I expected about an inch each -5 of them

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am almost 3 weeks out and there is time that I regret the surgery. It is all mental though and I was not prepared enough for letting go of food. AVOID TV COMMERCIALS

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet